The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-23
A PAIR OF Observation-Disclosures.
Mr. Richard Smith Explains Fully About that
Alleged Letter of WhitelaW Reds

CINCINNATI, April 22.-With reference to re-
alleged letter from Whiteaw Reid to Richard
Smith, saying that the Tribune had arrived at
the conclusion to abandon Blaine for the nomina-
ton for the presidency and supper: John Sher-
man, q representative OF the Associated Press
called upon Mr.. Richard Smith and asked him
in regard to the matter Mr.. Smith said he had
noticed the statement in the press, but knowing
there was no such correspondence, and discov-
ering that some people felt that it did them good
to keep the rumors afoat, he did not care to dis
turb their happiness, and he had therefore, :,
the spirit of amusement, decided not to write
card or say anything about it He felt that what
Mr.. Reid wrote or said to him was nobody's
business However, there seemed to be some
interest attached to it, he had no objection to
answering such questions as the reporter might
ask, and said go ahead" Thereupon the inter-
view proceeded:
Reporter-What about that Reid letter which
you received!
r. S-What letter.
R-The letter described by the Washington
correspondent of the New York Evening Post,
in which Reid said that the time has come at last
for Mr.. Blaine to let 60 his grip upon the Repub-
lican party far as the presidency is concerned,
and for all hands to turn in and nominate John
Sherman; and that all that was necessary to
cause the Tribune to swing into line was the
positive assurance that Sherman was going into
the convention with solid delegation from
Ohio.
R. 81 never got any such letter from him,
and do not believe he ever wrote any such letter.
R-Is he as hostile TO Sherman ever, then?
r. S.--No, he is not hostile to Sherman at all.
In fact don't think he ever was. He told me
that he would support Sherman with the great
est pleasure if, when thu time came, he should
be thought the best nominee.
R.-So he is weakening Blaine then, is he2
R. Swell. should hardly say that. You
can judge however, from the last conversation
had with him, when l was in New York, few
weeks ago. l told him that it would be better
politics to nominate Sherman than Blaine He
said: Very well; we certainly shan't fight
Sherman. If you can get the majority of the
delegates to your way of thinking we will sup
port Sherman with the utmost neartiness. | am
not sure about his being good candidate but
am sure that he would make splendid Presi-
| dent" He went to say that the Tribune
| would support Ben Harrison with great pleas
| ure, or Gresham, or Allison. Sheridan was
mentioned. and he said he had not heard him
| talked of much. but knew him to be splendid
| Republican. and had the greatest admiration
| both for his public and personal character. and
| if he was nominated would support him with
| enthusiasm. thought had got about enough,
| and started TO leave, when he said: Hold on.
now want to say one thing more. / want to
tell you further that if we united fully with YOU
! and with all your friends, in effort to nomi-
| nate any of these men you named, and the con
| vention should be held within a month. the
| whole lot of MS, with all the power we conld
| bring to bear, could not prevent the nomination
OF Mr.. Blaine on the first ballot, by acclama-
| tlap